Barnes exits Wisconsin Democratic governor primary

Former Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes dropped out of Wisconsin’s Democratic race for governor Thursday, shaking up a volatile primary less than two weeks before voters choose the party’s nominee.

Barnes announced his decision in a video posted on X, saying his campaign no longer saw a path to victory as state Rep. Francesca Hong opened a large polling lead ahead of the Aug. 11 primary.

“Last night I had a very difficult conversation with staff,” Barnes said. “We’re incredibly proud of all the things that we’ve accomplished and all the resources that we have raised to spread our message. But it’s become very clear who our nominee is going to be.”

A Marquette University Law School poll released Wednesday showed Hong, a democratic socialist, with support from 38% of Democratic primary voters. Barnes was second at 16%, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley had 7%, and 34% of voters remained undecided.

Barnes’ exit is the latest turn in the contest to replace Gov. Tony Evers, a Democrat who is not seeking re-election in the battleground state. Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, viewed by some moderate Democrats as a leading contender, dropped out this month after major inaccuracies were found in her campaign’s financial reporting. Crowley then re-entered the race with Evers’ endorsement, days after ending his own campaign. Earlier this summer, Missy Hughes, a former state economic development director, also ended her campaign.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported after Barnes’ withdrawal that it had sent him questions about past allegations of inappropriate behavior that had been anonymously submitted to the Wisconsin Democratic Party, local party officials and others. According to the newspaper, the state party hired a law firm in 2025 to investigate claims in a letter alleging Barnes had used his position in the party to pursue inappropriate relationships with “young adult women.” The party’s internal review and outside investigation found no actionable evidence because the claims were “anonymous and unspecific,” the Journal Sentinel reported, citing an unnamed person familiar with the matter.

Barnes’ campaign denied wrongdoing. “There are no allegations of misconduct or wrongdoing against Mandela,” it said in a statement.

Crowley moved quickly Thursday to appeal to Barnes’ supporters. “To everyone who backed Mandela: there’s a place for you in what we’re building,” he wrote on X.

A Crowley supporter with knowledge of the campaign’s strategy told NBC News that a late push with Evers was planned, including ads and campaign events. “The last two weeks people are tuning in,” the person said, adding, “Evers’ name means something with voters.” The person also described the effort as a “Hail Mary” and said Evers’ endorsement may have come too late.

Evers told reporters he was surprised by Barnes’ decision but reiterated his support for Crowley, saying he believed Crowley was the strongest candidate “even if Mandela was in,” the Associated Press reported.

Hong, 37, has surged in the primary after building what her campaign describes as a broad volunteer and door-knocking network across Wisconsin. A single mother and former restaurant owner, she has served in the state Assembly since 2021.

Hong has faced scrutiny for past calls to defund and abolish the police, positions she has backed away from in recent weeks. In an interview with NBC News’ “Meet the Press NOW,” she also distanced herself from the national Democratic Socialists of America, saying “there are issues that I disagree on” with the group. She has emphasized support for universal childcare and healthcare and a ban on building new data centers.

“We have built a statewide coalition with voters in every corner of Wisconsin — independents, moderates, Republicans, Democrats — who are with us on the issues,” Hong said. “I am focused on ensuring that we are an administration that is focused on delivering for working-class Wisconsinites, not on the labels.”

The Democratic nominee is expected to face Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, who is backed by Donald Trump. Marquette’s poll found Barnes had been the only candidate among the top three Democrats with a lead in a hypothetical general election matchup against Tiffany.